Airline passengers at the UK’s busiest airport, London Heathrow, are waking up to sharply increased fares on trains and Tubes to and from the centre of the capital.
Transport for London (TfL) has suddenly declared that all journeys between Zone 1 and the airport are deemed to be Peak.
Why has this happened and how can you avoid it? These are the key questions and answers.
What has happened?
Starting immediately, all journeys between Zone 1 covering central London and stations at Heathrow on the Piccadilly line of the Tube and the Elizabeth line are charged at peak rates – with a one-way fare of £5.50 on the London Underground.
Previously almost all passengers paid £3.50, so long as they avoided travelling between 6.30am and 9.30am (and outbound to the airport between 4pm and 7pm).
A £2 increase also applies from London Paddington on the Elizabeth line stopping train, which now costs £12.80 one-way.
Why has it happened?
The finances of TfL were hit extremely hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with revenue way down. The delayed launch of the Elizabeth line – which partially opened three-and-a-half years late, and is still far from complete – has also hit income.
The UK government, which makes up the shortfall, has demanded action from TfL to plug some of the funding gap.
Shashi Verma, chief technology officer at TfL, said the fare rise is “necessary to comply with the government’s funding conditions” and “will help to ensure that TfL can reach financial sustainability as soon as possible”.
He added: “Both TfL and the mayor [Sadiq Khan] remain committed to keeping fares as affordable as possible.
“Daily and weekly fare capping continue to help keep down the cost of travel across London for everyone.”
What does the airport say?
A Heathrow spokesperson told The Independent: “It’s disappointing that Heathrow’s passengers are being unfairly singled out in a funding spat between the government and TfL, just as we are all trying to get passengers back onto the railways and to maximise the benefits of the new Elizabeth line which serves the airport.”
How can I avoid the fare hike on the Tube?
Very easily – so long as you don’t mind stepping off one train and boarding the next.
Take advantage of the fact that the Underground allows free travel between Hatton Cross and all Heathrow stations.
Travelling to the airport, take the Piccadilly Line from central London to Hatton Cross, the last stop before the airport. Tap out through…
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